Fabric marker device



June 15, 1954 M. Rossl ETAL FABRIC MARKER DEVICE Filed Nov. 2 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS MARIO R 1 AMERlCo D1 GIORGI June 15, 1954 M. ROSSI ET AL. 2,681,

FABRIC MARKER DEVICE Filed Nov. 28, 1951 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORY MARIO Rossl BY AMERICO D1 GIORGI Patented June 15, 1954 UNITED STATES FABRIC MARKER DEVICE Mario Rossi and Americo Di Giorgi, Brooklyn, N.

Application-November 28, 1951, Serial No. 258,578

6 Claims; 1

This invention relates to new'and useful im provements in an apparatus for marking fabrics.

More particularly, the present invention proposes'the construction of an apparatus for'marking fabrics employing. a needle to be forced through the laid up plies of fabric and which marks the plies" by applying a suitably colored fluid under pressure to' the plies as the" needle passes therethrough'.

Apparatuses of this gen'eral'type' are known in the art which employ 'a' single one-piece tubular needle having an openingat its'point end from which the fluid under pressure discharges as the pointed end passes downward through the laid-up plies of the fabric: However, such anparatuses have been found objectionable because of the difficulty in arresting the flow of'the fluid even when the pressure is shutoff. That'isso because of the tendency for theresidual fluid in the needle to drop from'the' pointed end of the needle while in its raised positioning resulting inthe formation of confusingmarks on the top most ply of fabric'and; ofttimes, damage to that topmost ply and the one" located immediately therebeneath where the fabric'is of. the delicate type such as sheer'silks; nylons and the like.

The present invention proposesa modified apparatus employing an improved needle in which all residual fluid is locked within the'needle while the needle is in its raised'positio'n in a manner to overcome the objections'ito the'prior' art apparatuses and forestall all possible dripping of that residual fluid.

Another object of the present invention proposesforming a two-part needle which is comthe provision of means for rotating the outer.

tubular needle portion inamannerto align the elongated slots and permit the discharge .of the fluid under pressure after the pointed bottom end of the needle hasbeen passed completely through the laid-up plies of the fabric.

The present invention further .proposes .the arrangement of a novel sleeve portion within the housing'for completely closing the'slot' of the outer needle portion whilethemeedle' is retracted" completely into the housing and to also close that portion of the slot in the outer needle portion which remains within'the housing when the point of the needle reaches its fully lowered position' in a manner so that no fluid under pressure will be discharged into the housing or discharged into the air above the topmost ply of the laidup fabric.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for marking fabrics which is simple and durable, which is effi cient for its intended purposes and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying. drawings, and to the ap pended claims'in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a ma terial part ofthe present disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the fabric marking apparatus constructed in accordance with thep-resent invention, but with a portion of the tabletop broken away to reveal interior construction;

Fig; 2 is an" enlarged detailed sectional view of a portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig; 4 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional'view taken onthe'line' 5'-5 of'Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6-6' of Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the pointed bottom end of the outer needle portion, per se.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view ofthe' bottom end of the inner'needle portion, per se.

Fig. 9 is'a bottom perspective View of the cap member'whichis mounted'on' the top end of the outer needle portion.

The" fabric marking apparatus, according to the present invention, includes a table l5, see Fig. 1, havinga top 'lfi'supportedin' a desired elevated position by a plurality of legs IT. The bottom ends of the legs llare reinforced by suitable braces 3' arranged in any" desired manner.

Bolted to the table top I6 slightly forward of the'rearedge thereof, there is a bracket l9 having a forwardly extending arm portion 25? which overhangs the top of'the table I5. At its forward end; the arm portion 20 is integrally formed with a boss 2! having a vertically extended passageway 22"sothat' the-boss 2! is tubular.

Arranged 'in'connection' with the boss 21', there is a tubular housing 23 consisting of a bottom section 23 and a top section 23'. The bottom section 23 of the housing 23 is passed slidably through the passageway 22 in the boss 2i. At its bottom end, the bottom section 23 is formed with an enlarged clamping head 2%. In the raised position of the housing 23, the top face of the clamping head 24 engages the bottom face of the boss El and holds the bottom section 23 of the housing from being pulled out of the passageway 22. In the lowered position of the housing 23, the clamping head 2t rests on the topmost ply of the fabric laid-up on the table top id for holding the plies against shifting during the marking operation.

The bottom section 23' is formed with a concentric bore 25 which extends the complete height of the bottom section and concentric with the bore 25, the bottom section is formed with a concentric recess 25. The recess 26 extends from the top end of the bottom section 23 to a point closely adjacent the bottom end of the bottom section and divides on" an internal sleeve portion 2? within the bottom section for a purpose which will become clear as this specification proceeds.

Means is provided. for holding the bottom section 23 in a raised position relative to the boss 2!. That means comprises an expansion coil spring 28 which surrounds the bottom section 23 and which engages, at its bottom end, the top face of the boss 2|. The top end of the spring 28 bears against a ring 29. The ring 29 is en gaged about the top end of the bottom section and is secured in position by means of pins 33 extended in from diametrically opposite sides of the ring. The spring 28, for a purpose which will become clear as this description proceeds, is a relatively weak one exerting just sufficient pres sure to maintain the bottom section 2f; in a raised position.

The boss 25 carries a radially inwardly ex" tended pin 31 which has its inner end extended into a vertically extended groove 32 cut in the side of the bottom section 23 Thus, the pin 3! functions to hold the bottom section 23 from turning while leaving it free to slide axially relative to the boss 2!.

The top section 23* of the housing 23 is tubular in formation and has its top end closed by a wall 33 formed with a concentric hole at arranged in axial alignment with the bore 25 of the bottom section 23 The bottom end of the top section 23 is slidably fitted into the top end of the bottom section 23 and the top section has an external diameter the same as the external diameter of the recess-25 in the bottom section 23 To retain the top section 23 against rotating while leaving it free to slide axially relative to the bottom section 23 the inner ends of the pins 36 are extended into elongated slots 35 formed in diametrically opposite sides of the top section.

Means is provided within the housing 23 for holding the top section 23 in a raised position with relation to the bottom section 23 That means comprises a coil spring 36 within the housing 23 which has its bottom end seating on the wall of the bottom section 23 which defines the bottom end of the recess 25. The top end of the spring 3% acts against the top wall 33 of the top section 23*. The spring 36 exerts a force greater than that exerted by the coil spring 28.

The relationship between the springs 28 and 35 is such that when downward movement of the 4 housing 23 is started with relation to the boss 2!, the sections 23 and 23 begin the downward movement as a unit, compressing the weaker spring 28.

That compressing of the weaker spring 28 is continued until the bottom face of the clamping head it comes to rest on the topmost ply of the laid-up fabric on the table top 5. That will prevent the bottom section 23 from moving further downward and will constitute the clamping head 21! the means for holding the laid-up plies from shifting during the marking operation. Further downward pressures will cause the top section 23 to slide downward within the bottom section 2-? compressing the stronger spring 35. When the downward pressures are released, the springs 28 and 36 expand themselves returning the sections 23 and 23 of the housing 23 to their starting positions.

Provided in connection with the housing 23, there is an elongated marking needle 3? comprising a tubular outer portion 33 and a tubular inner portion 31 The outer needle portion 3'! is formed at its bottom end with a point 33. The needle 31 is carried by the top section 23 of the housing 23 and is slidably extended through the bore 25 of the bottom section 23 The needle 31 is of a length to have its pointed end 38 extend a slight distance from the bottom face of the clamping head 24, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The extended pointed end 36 of the needle 3? functions to guide the operator in properly locating the stack of laid-up fabric plies beneath the needle. The needle 21 is of the type which is to be forced through the plies of fabric by the application of pressure alone. However, if the fabric is of heavy relatively unpenetratable material, the needle could be of the drill-type for cutting through the laid-up plies of such relatively unpenetratable material.

In order to facilitate lining up the laid-up fabric plies with the projecting bottom end of the needle 3! without disturbing the alignment of the plies, the laid-up fabric plies can be placed on a small platform on ball bearing rollers to be rolled into position and locked in the desired position on the table top it. The platform could consist of a frame of metal or wood across which a canvas is tautly stretched to have the fabric plies rested thereon. The canvas would of course permit the passage of the bottom end of the needle 3! when the same is lowered for fabric.

marking purposes.

Adjacent its top end, the outer needle portion 31 is formed with a collar 39 located between the top end of the spring 36 and the inner face of the top wall 33 of the top section 23* of the housing. Beyond the collar 39, the top portion of the outer needle portion til is extended rotatively through the hole 3-4 of the top wall 33. Fixed to the top end of the outer needle portion 31 there is a cap member 40; The cap member All is secured in position by a pin M which is passed through a radially extended hole 42 formed in a cap member 40 and engaged into the top end of the outer needle portion 31 Thus, the collar 39 and the cap member 583 function to maintain the outer needle portion 3% rotatively in position while at the same time holding the same against axial movement relative to the 43 by which the cap member can be turned to in turn rotate the outer needle portion 31*. The

free end ofthe handle 43 is provided with knurlin it by which a good grip'can be had onthe free end of the handle 43.

The top end of the inner .needle portion 31 is extended from the top end of the outer needle portion 37*, see Fig.2. The top end of the inner needle portion 37 is formed withanenlarged externally threaded boss 44 which has a depending arm portion is. The bottom end of the arm portion ii? is secured to the top endof the top section 23' of the housing 23.by several rivets d6, so as to hold the inner needle portion 31 fixedly in position.

Secured to the top end of the inner needle portion there is one end of a flexible hose 4'5 formed of any desired synthetic resin material or other similar flexible materials. The hose M is connected to the top end of the inner needle portion Sl by means of a coupling member :58 which threadcdly engages the boss 44.

The other end of the hose 4? is connected. to a container ll mounted on the table top it, see Fig. l, and which contains the fluid under pressure which is to be used for marking the plies of laid-up fabric where the-needle 32 is passed therethrough. Fluid from the container fil passes through the hose ll and into the top end of the tubular inner needle portion 37 Further constructional details of the container 47 and the fluid dispensed thereby will notbe given in this disclosure as such containers and fluids are generally known in the art and form no part of the present invention. In this connection, reference is had to U. S. Patent No. 2,135,228 granted to Walter G. Wolkan.

Adjacent its bottom end, the outer needle por-- tion 371 is formed with an elongated slot 49, see Figs, 6 and 7, and adjacent its bottom end, the inner needle portion 3? is formed with a similar elongated slot 553, see Figs. 2, 6 and 7. The slots so it and 55 are of the same length and aligned laterally with one another. From Fig. 2, where the complete length of the slot 50 of the inner needle portion 37 is shown, it will be noted that the slots are located so that their top ends do not extend from the top end of the sleeve portion 2? of the bottom section 23* when the housing sections 23 and 23 are in their extended raised positions. Normally, the slots it and 50 are out of alignment, with the slot 49 of the rotative outer needle portion 31 removed forty-five degrees from the slot 58 or" the fixed inner needle portion 31 By rotating the cap member all through the medium of the handle 43, the slots 49 and so can be brought into alignment for discharge of the fluid under pressure therefrom.

Means is provided in connection with the cap member to for limiting its rotation to positions in which the slots 49 and Eilare either aligned or disaligned. The rotation limiting means comprises a pin 5| which extends upward from the top face of the top wall 33 of the top housing section 23 The pin 5| is eccentrically located and has its top end extended into a concentric arcuate slot 52 formed in the bottom face or" the cap member 39.

It is appreciated, of course, that the sleeve portion 2'! of the bottom housing section 23 will function to prevent the discharge of the fluid under pressure even if the cap member should be turned to align the slots 49 and 59 in the raised position of the housing 23 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Instead of being forced under pressure, the marking liquid could. flow by gravity down through the needle 31. from a suitable container mounted onthe' top end of the innerneedle section 31 The liquid flowing. by gravity down through the needle will then .be absorbed by the plies of fabric as it passesout' through the aligned slots at and 50 of the needle.v Another alternative, air dust supplied into the top'end of the inner needle section 31* could be used for marl:- ing the fabric plies.

Means is provided forlowering the housing'23 relative to the boss 2i for forcingthe needle 37 through the plies of the fabric material, not shown, which are. laid-up on the table top IE. The lowering means comprises a lever 53 which is pivotallysuppcrted adjacent its rear end upon the top end of an arm 54which extends upward from. the rear of the bracket IS. The front end of the lever 53 is bifurcated to have lever portions 53 extended along diametrically opposite sides of the top end of the top housing section 23 Extending from diametrically'opposite sides of the top housing section 23 there aretrunnions 55 which pass through elongated slots 56. formed the lever portions53 permitting the housing to move axially downward while the front end of the lever 53 swings downward in an are. A contraction spring 57 operating between the lever 53 rearward of its pivot and the arm 54 holds the lever 53 in a raised position in which its front end is raised and the housing 23 is in its raised extended position.

Connected to the rear end of the lever 53 there is suitable linkage 55 terminating in a foot pedal 59 located at the front of the table i5, see Fig. 1. The pedal 59 is to be stepped on to move the linkage 58 to pivot the lever 53 against the action of the spring 5'5 to first lower the'housing 23 as a unit against the action. of the spring 23 until the clamping head 24 rests on the top of the stack of fabric plies and to then lower the top section 23' of the housing relative to the lower section 23 to force the needle 31 through the stack of fabric plies.

The table top it in vertical alignment with the needle 3?, is formed with a vertically extended passageway Gil, see Fig. 1, through which the bottom end of the needle passes when completely lowered, so as to assure that the needle has passed completely through allof the plies and that the plies are all exposed to the slot 49 of the outer needle sectiontl Supported in position against the bottom face of the table top 16 there is a vertically elongated container 61. The container iii is arranged concentric with the passageway til so as to catch excess liquid which discharges from the portions of the aligned needle slots 48' and 5t exposed beneath the bottom face of the table top iii. The container 5'! is supported in a suitable semi-oircular bracket 62'which is secured to the bottom face of the table top it by means of rivets 55. The bottom Wall of the bracket 62 has the front edge portion of its bottom wall turned downward forming a lip 63 for. guiding the corrtainer 5! into position within the bracket 62. Secured to the side of the container 6! adjacent its top, there is a handle 64 by which a grip can be had on the containerfil for pulling it out of the bracket 62 so that the same can be emptied of the contained liquid when that becomes necessary;

The operation of the fabric marking apparatus is as follows:

With the apparatus in the position. shown in Fig. 1, the desired number of. fabric plies are laid-up on the table top I B-Withthe portion thereof to be marked located-immediately. below the housing 23, in alignment with the extended pointed end 38 of the needle 31. Downward pressures are then applied to the foot pedal 59 to first lower the housing 23 as a unit and against the action of the spring 28, until the clamping head 2:": rests on the top of the laid-up fabric plies. Downward pressure is then continued causing the top housing section 23* to move down ward relative to the bottom housing section 23 and against the action of the stronger spring 36. This will cause the needle 3'5 to be extended further from the bottom end of the bore 25 and be forced through the fabric plies until downward movement is arrested by engagement of the lever 53 with the ring 29. Pressure on the pedal 5% is then held and the handle 33 is turned in the proper direction to turn the rotative outer needle portion 3? to align the slots t8 and 5&3. In the aligned position of the slots 49 and 55, the fluid under pressure in the inner needle portion 3? will discharge through the slots to suitably mark the fabric plies. The fluid which discharges from the portions of the slots exposed beneath the table top It will collect in the container 6!. The degree to which the slots 49 and 58 will be exposed from the bottom of the table top l6 will vary in accordance with the thickness of the laid-up However, the container 58 has sufficient height to receive the exposed bottom end of the needle 3": in all lowered positions of the housing 23.

After the fluid has discharged from the aligned slots so and so, the handle 43 is moved back to its starting position to disalign the slots 49 and 59. The needle portion 37 retains any position into which it is turned by movement of the handle 53. With the slots 49 and 513 disaligned, pressure on the foot pedal 55 is released so that the springs 23, 36 and 5? can function to restore the parts of the apparatus to the starting positions shown in Fig. 1.

While we have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for marking fabrics having a bracket secured to a table top with a tubular boss spaced above the table top, a telescopic tubular housing having a bottom section and a top section slidably extended from the top of said bottom section, said bottom section of said housing being axially slidably extended through said boss, means holding said bottom section in a raised position relative to said boss, means holding said housing sections in extended positions relative to one another, a tubular needle extended through said housing to be extended from the bottom thereof when said top section is lowered relative to said bottom s ction, said needle having a tubular outer portion rotatively supported on said top section and a tubular inner portion extended at its top end from said tubular outer portion and connected to a source of marking fluid under pressure, said needle portions having normally disaligned vertical slots inside the housing, means for moving said needle to extended position, and means for rotating said outer needle portion relative to said inner needle portion to align said slots for communication with said source so that the fluid under pressure can discharge from said slots when said needle has its lower end extended from the bottom of said housing a tubular sleeve portion within said bottom housing section, said slots being of a length corresponding to the length of said tubular sleeve to prevent the discharge of fluid under pressure into said housing if said outer needle portion should be rotated to align said slots with said housing in its raised position, and means in common for lowering said housing bottom section relative to said boss and for lowering said housing top section relative to said housing bottom section.

2. In an apparatus for marking fabrics having a bracket secured to a table top with a tubular boss spaced above the table top, a telescopic tubular housing having a bottom section and a top section slidably extended from the top of said bottom section, said bottom section of said housing being axially slidably extended through said boss, means holding said bottom section in a raised position relative to said boss, means holding said housing sections in extended positions relative to one another, a tubular needle extended through said housing to be extended from the bottom thereof when said top section is lowered relative to said bottom section, said needle having a tubular outer portion rotatively supported on said top section and a tubular inner portion extended at its top end from said tubular outer portion and connected to a source of marking fluid under pressure, said needle portions having disaligned vertical slots means for moving said needle to extended position, and manual means for rotating said outer needle portion relative to said inner needle portion to align said slots for communication with said source so that the fluid under pressure can discharge from said slots when said needle has its lower end extended from the bottom of said housing a tubular sleeve portion Within said bottom housing section, said slots being of a length corresponding to the length of said tubular sleeve to prevent the discharge of fluid under pressure into said housing if said outer needle portion should be rotated to align said slots with said housing in its raised position, said rotative support of said outer needle portion comprising a collar on said outer needle portion and engaging the inner face of a top wall of said top housing section, and a cap member fixed on the top end of said outer needle portion and engaging the top face of said top wall.

3. In an apparatus for marking fabrics having a bracket secured to a table top with a tubular boss spaced above the table top, a telescopic tubular housing having a bottom section and a top section slidably extended from the top of said bottom section, said bottom section of said housing being axially slidably extended through said boss, means holding said bottom section in a raised position relative to said boss, means holding said housing sections in extended positions relative to one another, a tubular needle extended through said housing to be extended from the bottom thereof when said top section is lowered relative to said bottom section, said needle having a tubular outer portion rotatively supported on said top section and a tubular inner portion extended at its top end from said tubular outer portion and connected to a source of marking fluid under pressure, said needle portions having disaligned vertical slots means for moving said needle to extended position, and manual means for rotating said outer needle portion relative to said inner needle portion to align said slots for said slots with said housing in its raised position,

said rotative support of said outer needle portion comprising a collar on said outer needle portion and engaging the inner face of a top wall of said top housing section, and a cap member fixed 0n the top end of said outer needle portion and engaging the top face of said top wall, said rotating means comprising a handle extending radially from said cap member.

4. In an apparatus for marking fabrics having a bracket secured to a table top with a tubular boss spaced above the table top, a telescopic tubular housing having a bottom section and a top section. slidably extended from the top of said bottom section, said bottom section of said housing being axially slidably extended through said through said housing to be extended from the bottom thereof when said top section is lowered relative to said bottom section, said needle having a tubular outer portion rotatively supported on said top section and a tubular inner portion extended at its top end from said tubular outer portion and connectedto a source of marking fluid under pressure, said needle portions having disaligned vertical slots means for moving said needle to extended position, and manual means for rotating said outer needle portion relative to said inner needle portion to align said slots for communication with said source so that the fluid under pressure can discharge from said slots when said needle has its lower end extended from the bottom of said housing a tubular sleeve portion within said bottom housing section, said slots being of a length corresponding to the length of said tubular sleeve to prevent the discharge of fluid under pressure into said housing if said outer needle portion should be rotated to align said slots with said housing in its raised position, said rotative support of said outer needle portion comprising a collar on said outer needle portion and engaging the inner face of a top wall of said top housing section, and a cap member fixed on the top end of said outer needle portion and engaging the top face of said top wall, said rotating means comprising a handle extending radially from said cap member, and means limiting turning of said cap member by said handle to positions in which said slots are aligned or disaligned.

5. In an apparatus for marking fabrics having a bracket secured to a table top with a tubular boss spaced above the table top, a telescopic tubular housing having a bottom section and a top section slidably extended from the top of said bottom section, said bottom section of said housing being axially slidably extended through said boss, means holding said bottom section in a raised position relative to said boss, means holding said housing sections in extended positions relative to one another, a tubular needle extended through said housing to be extended from the bottom thereof when said top section is lowered relative to said bottom section, said needle having a tubular outer portion rotatively supported on said top section and a tubular inner portion extended at its top end from said tubular outer portion and connected to a source of marking fluid under pressure, said needle portions having disaligned vertical slots means for moving said needle to extended position, and manual means for rotating said outer needle portion relative to said inner needle portion to align said slots for communication with said source so that the fluid under pressure can discharge from said slots when said needle has its lower end extended from the bottom of said housing, and a tubular sleeve portion within said bottom housing section, said slots being of a length corresponding to the length of said tubular sleeve to prevent the discharge of fluid under pressure into said housing if said outer needle portion should be rotated to align said slots with said housing in its raised position.

6. In an apparatus for marking fabrics having a bracket secured to a table top with a tubular boss spaced above the table top, a telescopic tubular housing having a bottom section and a top section slidably extended from the top of said bottom section, said bottom section of said housing being axially slidably extended through said boss, means holding said bottom section in a raised position relative to said boss, means holding said housing sections in extended positions relative to one another, a tubular needle extended through said housing to be extended from the bottom thereof when said top section is lowered relative to said be torn section, said needle having a tubular outer portion rotatively supported on said top section and a tubular inner portion extended at its top end from said tubular outer portion and connected to a source of marking fluid under pressure, said needle portions having disaligned vertical slots means for moving said needle to extended position, and manual means for rotating said outer needle portion relative to said inner needle portion to align said slots for communication with said source so that the fluid under pressure can discharge from said slots when said needle has its lower end extended from the bottom of said housing a tubular sleeve portion within said bottom housing section, said slots being of a length corresponding to the length of said tubular sleeve to prevent the discharge of fluid under pressure into said housing if said outer needle portion should be rotated to align said slots with said housing in its raised position, said inner needle portion being extended from the top end of said outer needle portion and connected to said top housing section to hold said inner needle portion fixedly in position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 999,824 McCampbell Aug. 8, 1911 1,155,537 Wooley Oct. 5, 1915 1,156,580 Benjamin Oct. 12, 1915 1,753,684 Bloch Apr. 8, 1930 1,771,399 Christophel July 29, 1930 1,830,404 Moulton Nov. 3, 1931 2,118,718 White May 24, 1938 2,135,228 Wolkan Nov. 1, 1938 2,138,412 Trefz Nov. 29, 1938 2,199,822 Hill May 7, 1940 2,227,254 Glassberg Dec. 31, 1940 2,582,854 Smith Jan. 15, 1952 2,634,125 Bamber Apr. 7, 1953 

